Shrimp food?

[Jinx_]

I've searched up "shrimp food" on eBay, and so many nice looking foods came up.

I've wondered, since shrimps will eat basically anything you give them.. Would something like this be alright for them?

I know things like these are good for protein/fibre. Soak in water for a bit before offering to shrimps...

I just want to give my guys a very good diet

 

[Essjay]

I was advised to look at Dennerle shrimp food, so I bought Dennerle Shrimp King Complete. I do also feed veggies and fish food as well.


When I've looked at Heron's fish food in the past, the first three ingredients (the most important ones) contained fish meal and wheat flour; I would prefer a food with these ingredients further down the list. I would look at the ingredients of any food before buying.

 

[MaloK]

If it's for cherry shrimps, keep it on the occasional treat.

While they are omnivorous, too much animal protein is not very good for them. I try to keep their diet mainly vegetarian.

Their digestive system is not made to process large quantities of food that they are not adapted to digest. Excessive protein also lead to molting problems. Too much can trow off calcium balance in their organism.

And it can lead to water quality degradation. The bulk of their diet should be plant-based (biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables, leaf litter).

Think of animal protein as a supplement or treat, not a staple. If you offer protein-rich foods like bloodworms or daphnia, do once or twice a week at most, and only a tiny amount that can be consumed quickly.

 

[Essjay]

This is the ingredient list for the Dennerle food I mentioned above

 

[Jinx_]

I was advised to look at Dennerle shrimp food, so I bought Dennerle Shrimp King Complete. I do also feed veggies and fish food as well.


When I've looked at Heron's fish food in the past, the first three ingredients (the most important ones) contained fish meal and wheat flour; I would prefer a food with these ingredients further down the list. I would look at the ingredients of any food before buying.

I've ordered x5 spirulina shrimp sticks, to see if my guys like those. I'll definitely have a look at Shrimp King foods

If it's for cherry shrimps, keep it on the occasional treat.

While they are omnivorous, too much animal protein is not very good for them. I try to keep their diet mainly vegetarian.

Their digestive system is not made to process large quantities of food that they are not adapted to digest. Excessive protein also lead to molting problems. Too much can trow off calcium balance in their organism.

And it can lead to water quality degradation. The bulk of their diet should be plant-based (biofilm, algae, blanched vegetables, leaf litter).

Think of animal protein as a supplement or treat, not a staple. If you offer protein-rich foods like bloodworms or daphnia, do once or twice a week at most, and only a tiny amount that can be consumed quickly.

Ah I see. I'll get the dried sprats and shrimps, to be more of a nice occasional snack, and the occasional boiled frozen shrimp or fish. I won't over do it.

Does this also apply to amanos? What about my kuhlis? They're mostly carnivorous, aren't they?

 

[MaloK]

If the Kuhlis go for it, the shrimps will be ok with the bits that get lost.

And yes, Amano shrimps fall in the same diet category. And will suffer the same issues with a diet too rich in protein.

 

[Jinx_]

If the Kuhlis go for it, the shrimps will be ok with the bits that get lost.

And yes, Amano shrimps fall in the same diet category. And will suffer the same issues with a diet too rich in protein.

So kuhlis are alright with somewhat of a shrimp diet?

Alright thought so. Basically applies to all shrimps?

 

[MaloK]

Yes nearly all fresh water shrimps are detrivorous.

In the common freshwater, the only shrimp I know that has some carnivorous tendencies are Ghost shrimps, they are still sold as scavengers, but have also been known to be opportunistic predators and can attack and eat small or sick fish, or even other, smaller shrimp.

 

[Jinx_]

Yes nearly all fresh water shrimps are detrivorous.

In the common freshwater, the only shrimp I know that has some carnivorous tendencies are Ghost shrimps, they are still sold as scavengers, but have also been known to be opportunistic predators and can attack and eat small or sick fish, or even other, smaller shrimp.

I see, thank you for informing me. I've usually been told they're omnivorous and need meat too, I meant they technically are and do, but more as a supplement.

Best comparison I can find is that of a horse eating a chick. Horses are herbivores, but even herbivores need meat as a supplement. Which is why I personally for myself, don't believe to be a vegan. Animal meat is extremly good for brain development, even if you are an adult. That is the meaning of being an omnivore, need a little of both basically (IMO)

I like ghosties, they're cute (as all shrimps are) but this does scare me. I would hate to see my shrimp attacking other shrimps. Especially shrimplets

 

[MaloK]

I think of the ratio that would be encountered in nature, the vegetation compared to animals that becomes "shrimp food"...

And I imagine that in nature shrimps eats at least a thousand times more vegetable matter than meat.

It's pretty rare for them when all the upper critters got their meal, there's not much left.

 

[Jinx_]

I can't say for sure if they'd eat more plant or animal matter. I think if something died, they'd just go for it, but regardless of that, they are mostly plant matter eaters. They're just constantly grazing and eating whatever they can find.

Even if rare for ghosties to catch live fish or shrimp, I wouldn't risk it personally

 

[MaloK]

But still, I think they must be starving seriously to "turn" in active hunters. As scavengers they will go for the easiest first.

I have a tank that has a much lower number and they wont even eat food I add. They find all they need naturally.

But I have another tank where they smell it as soon as it touches the water. And swarm onto it in seconds. Loll.

 

[Jinx_]

I have a tank that has a much lower number and they wont even eat food I add. They find all they need naturally.

Yeah... I gave them algae wafers, but they're not very interested. What a disappointment

But I have another tank where they smell it as soon as it touches the water. And swarm onto it in seconds. Loll.

I guess my shrimps are broken or something lol

 

[MaloK]

No, not broken... If they already have food at mm away why go elsewhere.

When they swarm, it's because they are hungry. Most of the time I feed them 2-3 times per weeks. and if I put too much they stop coming out.

 

[Jinx_]

Lol no I was joking, they're not broken, I just might not understand the shrimp mind.

Do you not feed them a lot? I heard if you do, they'll breed a lot faster. Like with "pest" snails?